SLOW starts have been a focus for St Kilda in recent times and it popped up again as a problem against Essendon on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
At the 10-minute mark of the first quarter, the last-placed Bombers had 10 inside-50s to zero.
That poor start followed on from the previous game, when Gold Coast scored 12 times in the opening quarter.
In interstate losses to Adelaide and West Coast earlier this season, Alan Richardson's team trailed at the first break by 33 and 48 points respectively.
Saints leadership group member Jack Newnes said it had been a focus for his team.
"We've kind of been talking about that the last few weeks, we want to have strong starts to games. A little bit slow to start again, so I guess during the week we'll have a chat about that and see what we can do," Newnes told AFL.com.au after the 11-point win against Essendon.
Looking deeper, he pointed to mental lapses as the reason for the issue.
"I guess it's more mindset. It could be the way you prepare pre-game, but we've done the same thing all year and had some really positive starts, and some not-so-good ones," he said.
"We'll touch on it this week, and hopefully next week we can have a strong start."
The Saints face Melbourne at Etihad Stadium next Sunday afternoon.
While the contest didn't begin the way the Saints wanted, Newnes said the manner in which his team fought back after the Bombers held a seven-point lead in the final term was a positive.
Five talking points: Essendon v St Kilda
"A couple of years ago, we probably would have put the cue in the rack, but we've got pretty good character in the group now," he said.
"We've got good fabric. It's good to see the boys keep their heads up and keep fighting and get the win."
Newnes collected 27 disposals and 11 contested possessions, plus a snapped goal late in the first term, but he saw room for improvement.
"I think it (his performance) was pretty average," Newnes said.
"I guess I got a bit of the ball but made a few errors defensively."
